‘Leaders Eat Last’ By Simon Sinek
Publisher :Portfolio Hardcover (January 7, 2014)
Heather’s Recommended Audience:
MUST READ for everyone that leads, manages, mentors, consults and wants to inspire others.
Heather’s Review
Simon Sinek is one of my favorite authors and with this new book he does not disappoint. He weaves a tale for insightful stories with science to make us realize how we are wired as humans.
Sinek begins with biology, outlining the roles of chemicals – specifically endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. He describes how evolution has dictated why we generate them and how we respond to them.
1. Endorphins mask pain and help give you a `runner’s high’ or the intense satisfaction after a tough work out.
2. Dopamine generates good feelings’ upon accomplishing a goal whether that is bringing home dinner while evading sabre-toothed tigers or doing a bang-up job on a major presentation. Think of endorphins and dopamine as the `individual achievement’ chemicals. We need them to excel at what we do.
3. Serotonin is what gives you a feeling of gratitude and affection for the persons who supported you in your endeavors and the good feeling as they applaud you.
4. Oxytocin is the`love’ chemical. It gives you the warm fuzzies you get when you hug someone or have a deep meaningful conversation. Think of serotonin and oxytocin as the `social’ chemicals.
Humans need both the individual achievement and social chemicals to progress. Society now focuses on achievement chemicals more than social chemicals losing the sense of community within the organization.
If we create a trusting environment, we can focus on doing the best we can and this greatly benefits both the company and individuals. This feeling of `belonging’ is what has disappeared from the corporate workplace to a large extent. It has been replaced by an ethos of `everyone for himself and the Devil take the hindmost’
“Leaders Eat Last” conveys that to be effective as a leader, you must earn the trust of your followers. You can be given responsibilities or duties, but you must earn authority. In this book, Mr. Sinek provides specific action items you should take to create a Circle of Safety within your organization.
As I reflect on his messaging, it becomes clear that his principles must be applied to all major project teams deploying solutions.
